Destinations in Hungary
Hungary is a diverse destination that offers both cultural and scenic attractions. The combination of historic cities, culinary experiences and natural beauty makes the country an interesting destination for travelers.
Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Its neighboring countries are Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
Hungary’s independence ended in the middle of the 16th century when the Ottoman Empire conquered the country. Large parts of Hungary were now under Turkish rule. It was not until 145 years later that the occupiers were driven out of the country, but they left a lasting cultural impression.
The country hardly came to rest, not only due to changing rulers, but also due to many domestic conflicts (multi-ethnic state with aspirations for independence). Even the merger with Austria did nothing to change this.
At the end of 1918, Hungary declared its withdrawal from the Real Union with Austria and ended the imperial and royal monarchy. The then Prime Minister announced the founding of a democratic republic just one day later.
After the Second World War, Hungary was under Soviet influence as a result of the Yalta Treaty. In 1988, the new head of state initiated a change in policy. The border with Austria was opened and the Iron Curtain fell. Many GDR citizens took their chance and fled to Austria. From September 11, 1989, it was officially possible for GDR citizens to leave Hungary for Austria and the peaceful revolution was in full swing.
Hungary has been a member of NATO since 1999 and a member of the European Union since 2004.
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is an important cultural and economic center. The city is known for its historic buildings such as the Parliament building and Buda Castle. Budapest also offers numerous thermal baths for relaxation and a wide range of cultural attractions, from museums to theaters.
Lake Balaton, the largest inland lake in Central Europe, is a popular destination for those seeking relaxation. It is ideal for water sports, cycling tours and walks along the lakeside promenades. The country’s national parks, such as the Hortobágy National Park, offer insights into the flora and fauna of the region and invite you to go hiking.
Explore destinations in Hungary
We will present our tips for a great time in Hungary.
A city trip to Budapest offers plenty of variety and relaxation. Here you can not only enjoy sightseeing, shopping and good food, but also relaxing hours in the famous thermal baths.
Travel informations
Arrival
By aeroplane The international airport is in Budapest. For seasonal flights, there is also the Balaton airport. The airport in Budapest is very well connected to the city centre by public transport.
By train It is easy to travel to Budapest Keleti by train from Vienna. The main IC or ICE trains are calling at Budapest. Trains to different parts of the country mostly depart from two other train stations in Budapest. PLEASE NOTE: EU citizens that are older than 65 travel for free on the regional trains in second class. This does not apply to IC or ICE trains.
By bus Coaches for Budapest depart regularly from bigger German cities.
By car An international driver’s licence is needed. The Hungarian road network is about 82.000 kilometres long and connects all major Hungarian cities.
Legal alcohol limit: 0.0
Speed limits for cars:
In residential/inner city areas: 50 km/h
Motorways: 130 km/h
Speedways: 110 km/h other roads: 90 km/h
By ship A hydrofoil boat travels between Vienna and Budapest via Bratislava.
By bike From Vienna, a cycle path (Danube cycle path Eurov
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for EU citizens
Short stay (up to 90 days)
EU citizens, including German nationals, can enter Hungary without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The following documents are required for entry:
Valid identity card or passport
Temporary identity cards and passports are also accepted
Children require a children’s passport
Registration of entry or stay is not required for stays of less than three months.
Longer stays (more than 90 days)
A residence permit is required for stays longer than 90 days. This must be applied for at the relevant immigration office after entering the country. It is advisable to obtain information about the current requirements and the exact procedure from the relevant Hungarian embassy or consulate.
Entry requirements for non-EU citizens
Short stay (up to 90 days)
Non-EU citizens generally require a visa and a valid travel document to enter Hungary. There are different types of visas, depending on the duration and purpose of the stay:
Short-term visas: these are intended for tourism purposes, business trips or family visits and are valid for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Long-term visas: These are intended for stays of more than 90 days, for example for work, study or research purposes.
Longer stays (more than 90 days)
For longer stays, non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit. It is important to apply for the correct visa, as the status cannot be changed after entry.
Best time to visit
Hungary has a dry continental climate. Winters can get quite cold and in summer temperatures rise to an average of 21-23 degrees in July. There is often heavy rainfall in early summer, although this decreases from west to east within the country.
The warm spring and hot summer are the most popular times to travel to Budapest. July to August is the main time to visit the thermal baths on Lake Hévíz and the resorts on Lake Balaton. In winter, Hungary tends to be cooler and often cloudy.
Money
In Hungary, people pay in forint (HUF). The plan is to switch to the Euro but there is no date for the transition yet.
Currency can be exchanged at banks or in exchange offices. Withdrawals from ATMs with EC or credit cards are normally very straightforward. But PAY ATTENTION and read the instructions at the ATM carefully. Otherwise, you may be charged high fees.
Most shops and restaurants accept payments with EC or credit cards.
Tip
If you are satisfied with the service in the restaurant, it is customary in Hungary to tip the customer. Some restaurants automatically add a 10-13% tip to the bill. If this flat rate is not mentioned separately, it is common to tip about 10%.
For taxi rides it is customary to tip about 10%.
Language
Hungarian is the official language and also lingua franca. Most young Hungarians speak very good English, many older Hungarians speak German.
Travel adapter
Type C and E sockets are used in Hungary. German vacationers do not need an adapter for their electrical devices.
